Transport trends - headlines

Click on the headline (link) for the full text.More Chinese cities likely to curb auto sales: industry groupFang Yan and Norihiko Shirouzu, Reuters
Eight more cities in China, the world's biggest auto market, are likely to announce policies restricting new vehicle purchases, an official at the automakers association said, as Beijing tries to control air pollution.

Shi Jianhua, deputy secretary general at the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), did not give details on the new measures and there has been no word from the government...
(11 July 2013)

A Tale of Renewed Cities [Report]International Energy Agency
Transport currently accounts for half of global oil consumption and nearly 20% of world energy use, of which approximately 40% is used in urban transport alone. The IEA expects urban transport energy consumption to double by 2050, despite ongoing vehicle technology and fuel-economy improvements. While increased mobility brings many benefits, the staggering rate of this increase creates new challenges. Urgent energy-efficiency policy attention will be needed to mitigate associated negative noise, air pollution, congestion, climate and economic impacts, all of which can cost countries billions of dollars per year.

This report highlights lessons learned and examples of good practice from countries with experience implementing a wide range of measures to improve energy efficiency in urban transport systems...
(10 July 2013)Link to report

Driving time holds steady as population increases, report saysMike Conneen, ABC7
The D.C. region is growing by leaps and bounds, but when it comes to driving, it is actually holding steady with the same amount of drive time. That’s the surprising assessment from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

“The traffic is just deplorable,” says Elliott Nash of Sterling...

But according to researchers who reviewed state transportation data, total daily driving on area roadways saw almost no change during those years, holding steady at 110 million vehicle miles each day...
(19 June 2013)

The New Majority: Pedaling Towards Equity [Report]Sierra Club, Infrastructure USABicycling is on the rise across the U.S. Adults are capitalizing on the health and economic benefits of active transportation, while an increasing number of young people are forgoing drivers’ licenses to save money and embrace more walkable, bikeable lifestyles. The new majority that elected a president — youth, women and people of color — is playing a key role in pedaling the country toward a more Bicycle Friendly America. These diverse communities are embracing bicycling at a high rate, redefining the face and trajectory of the bicycle movement and the way the nation addresses transportation. An increasingly powerful and growing constituency, previously underrepresented groups are cultivating new campaigns and bike cultures that address the needs, serve the safety and improve the health of all residents who ride — or want to ride. These new riders, leaders and organizations are making biking accessible and inviting to all Americans — while making the case for a safer and more equitable transportation system in communities nationwide.
(4 June 2013)Link to full report

How CicLAvia Is Turning Los Angeles Into A City Of PedestriansDavid Hochman, Forbes
XLike “jumbo shrimp” and “civil war,” “pedestrian-friendly Los Angeles” is an eyebrow-raising contradiction. Nobody’s friendly to pedestrians (or joggers, bicyclists or rickshaw drivers) in L.A. At least that’s the perception. But all that’s changing thanks to improved bike lanes, an expanding Metro light rail system, sidewalks, neighborhood pride and an organization called CicLAvia (pronounced sic-lah-VEE-ya). As that nonprofit prepares for another car-free takeover of L.A. streets this weekend, I checked in with the group’s executive director and co-founder, Aaron Paley...
(20 June 2013)

Cities Cut Parking MandatesKris Hudson, Wall Street Journal
Washington, D.C., is considering waiving requirements that new buildings near its 40 rail-transit stops include parking spaces, joining a growing list of cities that are responding to shrinking car ownership by residents of dense neighborhoods.

District of Columbia planners intend to present the proposal to the city's Zoning Commission in late July as part of the first comprehensive overhaul of the city's zoning in more than 50 years...
(9 July 2013)

But globally, the trend is in the opposite direction, and it’s alarming. The world is producing more cars than ever. A new report from the Worldwatch Institute shows that automobile production hit a new high in 2012 — and 2013 is expected to surpass that record. “According to London-based IHS Automotive, passenger-car production rose from 62.6 million in 2011 to 66.7 million in 2012, and it may reach 68.3 million in 2013,” write Worldwatch’s Michael Renner and Maaz Gardezi. “When cars are combined with light trucks, total light vehicle production rose from 76.9 million in 2011 to 81.5 million in 2012 and is projected to total 83.3 million in 2013.”..
(5 July 2013)

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